Ryanair decision opens the way for IAG takeover of Aer Lingus

Ryanair cleared the way for British Airways owner International Airlines Group to take over Aer Lingus as it accepted an offer for its 29.8 per cent stake in the Irish carrier.

The low-cost operator said its board had voted to accept the deal, saying the IAG offer “maximises Ryanair shareholder value”.

Ryanair was left as kingmaker in the deal after a £1bn offer was accepted by the Aer Lingus board and given the green light by the Irish government, owner of a quarter of the company, in May.

But the offer was conditional on acceptance by at least 90 per cent of shareholders and there had been speculation that Ryanair might choose to “play hardball” and force IAG to return to the table with a higher bid. IAG said it would not raise the terms.

The background to the transaction is complicated by a long-running battle fought by Ryanair against UK competition authorities, which have ordered it to cut its stake in Aer Lingus.

Ryanair chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said: “We believe the IAG offer for Aer Lingus is a reasonable one in the current market and we plan to accept it, in the best interests of Ryanair shareholders. The price means that Ryanair will make a small profit on its investment in Aer Lingus over the past nine years.”

He said the offer was “timely” because its original strategy of using Ryanair as a mid-priced brand to compete with flag carriers at major airports had been overtaken by its own Always Getting Better programme with a similar aim.